AP: U.S., Iraqi Forces Clash With Insurgents (Mahdi Army)

[Eugene]

U.S., Iraqi Forces Clash With Insurgents

The Associated Press
Sunday, October 8, 2006; 6:04 AM

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- U.S. and Iraqi forces fought militiamen early Sunday
in Diwaniyah, a southern city under the increasing influence of the
Madhi Army loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Twenty
militia fighters were killed, the U.S. military said.

The clashes broke out after a joint U.S.-Iraqi unit raided the house
of Kifah al-Greiti, a Mahdi Army commander, said Iraqi Army Capt.
Fatiq Ayed.

Three teams of militiamen, armed with rocket-propelled grenades,
opened fire on U.S. soldiers and damaged an M1A2 Abrams tank, the
U.S. command said. No coalition forces were hurt.

-snip-

Fighting could be seen in two neighborhoods and heavy explosions could
be heard through the night. An Associated Press reporter saw U.S. soldiers
sealing off roads to the city after dawn in an apparent attempt to keep
the insurgents from bringing reinforcements.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/08/AR2006100800146.html